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18May2017

Olympic hockey gold medallists return to Loughborough University

On Saturday 13th May two Loughborough hockey legends returned to campus to take part in Loughborough Hockey’s alumni day.

Team GB Head Coach Danny Kerry and forward Hannah MacLeod are both Loughborough University Sport & Exercise Science graduates. The pair will be inducted into the Loughborough Sport Hall of Fame on 7 June 2017 in recognition of their sporting achievements.

On Saturday, they returned to Loughborough to much adoration after winning gold in Rio last summer. The success of the women’s hockey team, guided by Kerry, captured the hearts of the nation back in August, and that same feeling was felt on Saturday as the Vice-Chancellor presented the duo with a shirt with the names of all six Loughborough gold medallists on the back.

Prior to the presentation, the men’s alumni day saw three student teams take on a trio of alumni teams, which featured a brilliant range of ages and abilities. The women’s equivalent, in its inaugural year, treated attendees to a Q&A with MacLeod alongside lunch and a tour.

The day received unprecedented levels of positive feedback, with our two Olympic champions undoubtedly adding a little star dust, especially as Loughborough past and present got to see their medals in the flesh.

Talking about his memories of being a student, Kerry said:

“My time at Loughborough was very simply some of the best years of my life. Sport, independence, amazing friends, great facilities, and a world famous Sports Science course. I think it’s probably a rare period in life when you have so much freedom to enjoy life, learn, do what you love and be around so many like-minded people.

“It’s great to see the University continuing to develop its amazing sporting infrastructure and continue its heritage as a leading University in this and other regards.”